All in a day’s drive

I am writing this from the passenger seat of our car. Cranky kids in the back seat; it's nearing supper time. They’re tired, we’re tired. We just pulled into and then out of our driveway and are now heading back toward town. Because why not?

It started this morning. We took separate cars to our Saturday morning activities — Husband and the youngest to swimming lessons and myself and the eldest to gym class because the classes are a half hour in the difference. We met up afterward at the grocery store, leaving one car behind and travelling together from the 'burbs to the city for a birthday party.

On our way home, in our late-for-naptime haste, we forgot to pick up the other car. Oh well, we want to go to the library later, we told ourselves. Then later came and we loaded up the family and went to the library. By the time we finished up, it was nearing supper time. They were tired, we were tired. And then we pulled into the driveway — an empty driveway, without another car. Husband looked at me, gave me a second to catch up to his stage of annoyance.

So here we are, driving back toward town. Because what would make a busy family day more interesting than another 20-30 unnecessary minutes cooped up in the car?

Epilogue …

When we arrived home AGAIN, finally with both cars parked where they belong, we unloaded and headed for the door. I must not have been masking my frustration well; it was obvious to Jacob. Our almost four-year-old looked around, and in his infinite wisdom, declared, “Well that was just ridiculous.”